I haven’t become this smitten with a city in a long time. As soon as we arrived in Bath, I knew there was something uniquely ethereal about this, the largest city in the county of Somerset, just 12 miles from Bristol. Bath became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 due to its Roman history and famous Roman Baths, which I couldn’t wait to discover. But first, it was time to explore the city and get lost in its historic and hilly maze.
SLEEP: Our home in Bath was at the most quirky luxurious address in town. A Georgian townhouse, No 15 Great Pulteney hotel charmed at every cozy corner, from our well-appointed room to The Sitting Room and Bar 15 where we imbibed on craft cocktails, to The Dispensary, a design haven serving up a decadent seasonal menu. It was here too where one of Bath’s famous Sunday lunches is served, easily becoming an all-day affair. Spa 15 was an experience alone worthy of a stay at No 15 Great Pulteney. My treatment room was covered in curious sock art and the hot tub provided the perfect post-massage bliss.
EAT: The search of a gastropub led us to The Chequers where I happily dined on a hearty plate of fish and chips. For the next feast on this traditional dish, we’ll head straight to The Scallop Shell which has been voted the best in the UK. On Saturday, we headed to the Bath Farmers’ Market set in Green Park Station where local food producers sold freshly baked goods and produce from the Somerset countryside.
DRINK: Tipped off by a local, the nocturnal hours found us at The Dark Horse. This reservation-only cocktail bar is both moody and melodic, with dark wood interiors and a menu of bespoke cocktails to choose from.
We could have easily spent every day exploring this historic city and attempting to learn its many secrets. But there were Roman Baths to discover.
VISIT: Overlooking the Bath Abbey, the Roman Baths are a sight to behold. After being invaded by the Romans in 43AD, this religious spa complex was constructed by 75AD, referred to as Aquae Sulis, “the waters of Sulis”.
People from all over came to bathe in this religious spa and worship at the temple, believing that Goddess Sulis Minerva possessed curative powers. Each wing of this massive complex contained hammams, hot and cold dipping pools and relaxation rooms. Still today the city’s thermal springs rise and the Baths still flow with natural hot water. We even took a sip.
Next door to the bathing complex, the museum includes a gilt bronze head of the Goddess Sulis Minerva and other Roman artefacts.
When it came time to bid farewell to Bath, we made a vow to soon return to this city that captured our hearts.
